Southern California -- this just in

Lindsay Lohan heads to trial in lying case after plea deal fades

Lindsay Lohan's trial on charges she lied to police in the wake of a car crash is set to begin Monday -- with no signs of a last-minute plea deal.

Lohan's attorney had asked that the trial be postponed, but a judge refused.

Prosecutors had proposed the actress serve 90 days in a
locked rehabilitation facility to resolve the three misdemeanor counts, according to several people with knowledge of
the situation. But so far, she has given no indication she is willing to enter that
type of program, they say.

At a recent hearing, her attorney Mark Heller said Lohan did not need
to be placed in a rehabilitation facility. But whether Heller will remain her sole attorney next week is
unclear.

Heller, from New York, has asked a respected Orange County criminal
law firm to assist him in Lohan's defense, according to partners at the
firm. Paul Wallin, a partner at Wallin & Klarich, said the attorney
who was requested was David Wohl, a 24-year veteran of California courts
and a regular legal analyst for Fox News.

"We are awaiting Ms. Lohan's approval," Wallin said. "Mr. Heller
made the request. The court and our firm want to ensure the integrity of
this case."

Wallin said the firm isn't doing the case for publicity.

"We don't need publicity," he said recently."We have plenty of cases and high-profile clients."

He said Lohan's father, Michael Lohan, has also been in contact with the
firm, but they want the actress' approval before becoming involved.

Wallin said any other attorney entering the case on Lohan's behalf
would ask for a trial delay to get up to speed on the evidence and
history.

L.A. County Superior Court Judge James Dabney told the actress the
last time she was in his courtroom that if she proceeded with Heller as
her sole legal counsel, she would be required to sign a waiver stating
he was incompetent in California law.

Until last month, Lohan was represented by Shawn Holley, among the region's top lawyers.

Dmitry Gorin, a veteran defense attorney and former prosecutor, said
such a waiver was almost unprecedented and the entire issue could be
grounds for appeal on any action the court takes.

Lohan has been on probation for various drunk-driving and
shoplifting charges since 2007 and accumulated what the judge described
as a voluminous court file. She remains on probation for shoplifting.

During a court hearing last week without Lohan present, Dabney
disregarded Heller's request to delay the case until April and set the
Monday trial date, while repeatedly scolding the veteran New York
lawyer for gaffes.

Dabney questioned the attorney's ability to adequately defend the
actress in California, given he did not seem familiar with the state's
criminal law system.

"I'm somewhat concerned whether you have sufficient guidance from
local counsel," the judge said after Heller filed a "bill of
particulars" -- a motion not used in California criminal proceedings. A
local attorney who vouched for Heller has not practiced law for several
years.

The judge bluntly lectured Heller for 10 minutes on how that, as
well as some other motions, were incorrect procedures for a California
criminal court.

Heller took the legal helm recently after representing Lohan in New
York. Dabney rejected a different motion by Heller, this time to dismiss
the charges, and informed the attorney he had not complied with
California legal requirements.

Under state law, attorneys must file motions to dismiss during the arraignment, Dabney said. That period has already passed.

Heller said he could not file a motion to dismiss at the arraignment
because he was not Lohan's attorney at the time. Heller said he was
seeking to protect Lohan's constitutional rights and was unable to
determine from the charges whether his client made statements at the
scene, at the hospital or to emergency responders.

But the judge said California lawyers know that such a motion
regarding Miranda rights and statements is only appropriate once the
case reaches trial.

Santa Monica prosecutors allege the 26-year-old actress told officers
she was not driving a Porsche that rear-ended a truck June 18 as she
headed to the set of “Liz & Dick.” Lohan faces one misdemeanor count
each of reckless driving, providing false information to an officer and
willfully resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer.